Managed Clinical Networks and Local Dental Network
Local Dental Network
A Local Dental Network (LDN) is a formal clinical leadership network that supports NHS England in planning, improving, and coordinating dental services across a region. In Lancashire & South Cumbria, the LDN is the structure that brings together clinicians, commissioners, public health, and specialist network leads to shape the whole dental pathway.
- Support implementation of national strategy and policy
- Provide local clinical leadership
- Work with commissioners and providers
- Cover the whole dental pathway across primary, secondary, and community care
- Work closely with dental public health and local authorities
LDN lead: Ralph Pickup
Management Clinical Network
NHS Dental Managed Clinical Networks (MCNs) in Lancashire & South Cumbria (LSC) are the formal NHS structures that bring together specialists, commissioners, and primary care dentists to plan and improve services in specific clinical areas
A Managed Clinical Network (MCN) is an NHS‑recognised clinical leadership group for a specialty area.
They:
- Provide clinical governance and leadership
- Advise the ICB on commissioning
- Develop referral pathways
- Ensure equity of access across the region
- Support quality improvement and audit
- Bring together specialists, GDPs, community dental services, and commissioners
MCNs are not committees of the LDC — they sit within the NHS commissioning structure
Who Sits on an MCN?
Membership typically includes:
- Consultant specialists (e.g., paediatric, orthodontic, oral surgery, special care)
- Community Dental Service clinical leads
- General Dental Practitioners (GDPs) with enhanced skills
- Dental public health representatives
- ICB dental commissioners
- Hospital dental service representatives
- LDC‑nominated GDPs
Orthodontic MCN lead: Noel Bowen
Oral surgery MCN lead: David Brockelhurst
Restorative MCN lead: Marina Alves
Paediatrics MCN lead: Josephine Prasad
Special care MCN lead: Josephine Prasad